PROM PROMISE East Palestine High will be visited by 'Joes'

Events promote drug- and alcohol-free prom activities.
By NANCY TULLIS
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
EAST PALESTINE -- Michael Cardamone from the "Average Joe: Hawaii" reality television show will be at East Palestine High School on April 19 to witness the signing of the Prom Promise contracts during lunch periods.
East Palestine's prom will be April 24 and the high school peer group Committed Leaders Energetically Advising Responsibility (CLEAR) is sponsoring a "Week of Joe" April 19 to 24.
CLEAR encourages students to live safe and drug-free lives, said Liz Sherry, guidance counselor.
Students who sign the Prom Promise contract agree to participate in prom activities without using drugs or alcohol, Sherry said.
First 'Joe'
Cardamone is the first "Joe" of the week. Sherry said Cardamone agreed to the appearance at the school without compensation to promote the Prom Promise campaign.
Sherry said the theme for the week is "Not Your Average Joe: Just Say No!"
The April 20 "Joe" event will be a mullet hairsyle contest based on the movie "Joe Dirt." Students will create crazy mullet hairstyles and have their photos taken.
Students will then vote on the best -- or worst -- mullet during lunch periods April 21. The winner will receive a Pizza Joe's party pack for six people.
"Joe Boxer" is the theme for April 21. Clear members are encouraging their classmates to wear boxer shorts over their pants. All students who participate will receive a "Joe Boxer" sucker.
There will be two "Joe" events April 22, a drawing for a limousine ride to McDonald's for lunch, and competitions based on the television reality show "Fear Factor."
The events
Following the theme of the reality television show "Joe Millionaire," the names of all the students who sign Prom Promise contracts will be entered into a drawing, and the winner and five friends will leave the school for the limo ride and lunch at McDonald's.
The "Joe" connection to "Fear Factor" is its host, Joe Rogan. Fifteen boys and 15 girls will compete in three challenges based on Fear Factor stunts, such as eating disgusting food or running an obstacle course. Sherry said unlike the television show, the "disgusting food" will be sanitary food combinations, not live insects, etc.
The winners will earn the right to leave school for lunch at the "Original Roadhouse" in Unity.
Sponsors and donations
Sherry said CLEAR students worked for sponsorships and area businesses donated the prizes or services to support Prom Promise events. Besides the food donations by Original Roadhouse, Pizza Joe's and McDonald's, Columbiana Buick Olds Cadillac donated the limousine for the limo lunch.
The "Week of Joe" will conclude with an assembly April 23 "Not a Joe, But Still Says No!" featuring Jeff Yalden, a nationally known speaker promoting safe, drug- and alcohol-free lifestyles to young people. CLEAR is also inviting students to wear sunglasses during school that day like Charles Schulz' "Joe Cool" Snoopy character. All students who wear sunglasses will receive a "Joe Cool" candy bar.